What Happens If You Get a Hacked Pokémon in Surprise Trade?
Getting a hacked Pokémon through Surprise Trade can be a concerning experience for any Pokémon trainer. The immediate impact is usually not catastrophic, but it’s essential to understand the risks and potential consequences. In short, receiving a hacked Pokémon through Surprise Trade doesn’t typically lead to an immediate ban or damage your save file. However, it can lead to problems if you attempt to use that Pokémon in online battles or try to transfer it to Pokémon HOME. Furthermore, some maliciously crafted Pokémon have been known to cause crashes when accessing online features. Let’s delve into the details of what this means for you.
The Immediate Impact of a Hacked Pokémon
No Immediate Bans
The good news is that simply receiving a hacked Pokémon won’t result in an immediate ban. Game developers recognize that players often receive Pokémon in Surprise Trade without knowing their origin, and they do not penalize players for being on the receiving end of a hacked Pokémon. Your account won’t be flagged simply for owning a Pokémon that has been tampered with.
Potential for Game Crashes
However, the potential downside is the possibility of receiving a maliciously crafted Pokémon that can crash your game. These Pokémon exploit glitches to cause problems when you try to access Y-COM features, effectively preventing you from engaging in any online interactions until a patch is released. This has been a reported issue in past games, particularly Pokémon Sword and Shield.
In-Game Usage
Generally, a hacked Pokémon can be used within the single-player experience of the game with little to no repercussions. You can typically train, breed, and battle with them in offline mode. The problems tend to arise when you try to take the Pokémon online.
Online Restrictions
Online Battles
The most common restriction you’ll encounter with a hacked Pokémon is that it will be barred from being used in online battles. Game systems are generally designed to detect irregularities. If the game detects anomalies like impossible stats, moves, or abilities, it will prevent you from using that particular Pokémon in online battles. This is not a ban, but rather a limitation to ensure fair play for other online participants.
Pokémon HOME Transfer
Attempting to transfer a hacked Pokémon to Pokémon HOME is another area where problems can surface. While the Pokémon HOME system isn’t perfect, it can detect some hacked Pokémon. If it does, your transfer request might fail, and you could lose the Pokémon in the process. In severe cases of heavily manipulated Pokémon, the transfer system might restrict your ability to transfer entirely for a short period.
Long Term Ramifications
Breeding with Hacked Pokémon
Breeding a hacked Pokémon can result in offspring that will also be considered illegitimate, at least from the perspective of competitive play. While the game itself will generate the offspring, this doesn’t make the offspring “clean.” The offspring’s legality depends on whether the parent Pokémon had any illegal traits. If it did not, the offspring can pass all legality checks. For competitive play, you are strongly discouraged from breeding with hacked Pokémon.
Competitive Play
Legality is the only thing that matters in a tournament setting. Even if a Pokémon seems “possible” in-game but was created using external tools, it is still considered illegal in competitive circuits. You risk disqualification if caught using an illegitimate Pokémon in tournament play.
Risk of Account Restrictions
If you are found to repeatedly use hacked Pokémon or items, especially if you are distributing them, you may face more severe consequences, including a restriction from online play, a restriction of trading features in Pokémon HOME, or even an indefinite suspension from Pokémon HOME.
How to Handle a Hacked Pokémon
Release Them
The simplest and safest way to deal with a hacked Pokémon is to release it. This eliminates any potential problems it might cause.
Avoid Online Use
If you choose to keep a hacked Pokémon, avoid using it in any online battles or attempting to transfer it to Pokémon HOME. Stick to using it offline.
Don’t Distribute
Never knowingly trade or distribute hacked Pokémon to other players. This is an ethical consideration and also increases your risk of being penalized.
Stay Informed
Keep up-to-date on the rules and regulations of the Pokémon community and stay informed of any recent changes or announcements.
Conclusion
While receiving a hacked Pokémon in Surprise Trade can be a nuisance, it isn’t usually game-breaking. The key is to understand the potential risks, and act accordingly. By avoiding online use, not distributing them, and if needed, releasing the Pokémon, you can protect yourself from any negative consequences. Stay cautious, and happy training!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you get banned for having a hacked Pokémon traded to you?
No, you generally will not get banned simply for receiving a hacked Pokémon via trade. Game developers recognize that many players receive them unknowingly. However, you might encounter problems using the Pokémon in online battles or when transferring to Pokémon HOME.
2. Can a hacked Pokémon ruin your game?
A hacked Pokémon alone won’t ruin your game in most cases, but maliciously crafted ones can cause crashes. Always be cautious of Pokémon with suspicious stats or origins.
3. What happens if you breed a hacked Pokémon?
Offspring of hacked Pokémon are considered illegitimate, although the game generates the offspring. They will be either legal or illegal based on the parents’ status. It’s best to avoid using them in competitive play.
4. Are hacked Pokémon allowed?
Hacked Pokémon are not allowed in competitive play and are against the terms of service for most official Pokémon games and platforms. They are considered illegal even if they appear possible within the game’s framework.
5. Can you trade cheated Pokémon?
Players caught using hacked Pokémon can face penalties such as restriction from online play, restricted trading in Pokémon HOME, or even suspension from Pokémon HOME.
6. Can I breed with a hacked Ditto?
Yes, you can breed with a hacked Ditto. However, the offspring will be considered illegitimate, and their legality will depend on whether the Ditto had any illegal attributes.
7. Is the offspring of a hacked Pokémon legit?
The offspring is considered illegitimate. Its legality will be decided by if the parent Pokémon was legal or illegal. In competitive play, this is the only factor that matters.
8. How do you know if a Pokémon is hacked or cloned?
It’s hard to be 100% sure, but cloned Pokémon often have identical stats, moves, locations, trainer names, and IDs. Receiving a rare or valuable Pokémon for nothing can also be a sign.
9. Why is Surprise Trade so bad?
Surprise Trade can be risky. Many of the Pokémon you receive are common, and there is a chance you can receive a hacked Pokémon.
10. What happens if you send a hacked Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?
The system might not accept it, and you could potentially lose the Pokémon. In severe cases of heavily manipulated Pokémon, you may face transfer restrictions.
11. Are eggs from hacked Pokémon legal?
As long as the hatched Pokémon doesn’t have any illegal moves, abilities, or stats, it will be considered legal by the game’s basic standards, however it will still be considered illegitimate for competitive play.
12. Is Zacian.net hacked?
Yes. Pokemon distributed by Zacian.net and similar channels are hacked, no matter how legit they appear to be.
13. What is the punishment for hacked Pokémon?
Penalties for using hacked Pokémon include restriction of online play, restricted use of trading features in Pokémon HOME, or an indefinite suspension from Pokémon HOME.
14. Is Pokegen legal?
No, Pokegen and similar tools are used to create hacked Pokémon, making their use illegal in all official capacity.
15. Can you breed hacked shiny Pokémon?
Yes, you can breed with a hacked shiny Pokémon, but the offspring will be considered illegitimate, and their legality will depend on the hacked Pokémon’s condition.